Time to pop the cork?

So is it time to break out the French wine? Stop the boycott? Rename the Freedom Fries?

If the new president of France is any indication, yes. And he'll find an eager friend in America. But whether the rest of France follows his lead is, of course, problematic.

Sunday's presidential runoff winner Nicholas Sarkozy has extended a hand of friendship to America, after years of snobbery, opposition and even contempt for the United States under Jacques Chirac.

"They can rely on our friendship," Sarkozy said of Americans. "France will always be next to them when they need us."

Did you ever think you'd hear that from a French president?

The conservative candidate, who takes office May 17, also plans to roll back some of France's cushy but crippling public benefits; to encourage more than 35 hours of work a week; to cut taxes; to require those receiving unemployment benefits to accept job offers in their field; and to trim the country's bloated bureaucracy through attrition.

A winner of only 53 percent of the vote, Sarkozy will face strong opposition from trade unions, Muslim immigrants and workers fed full of cradle-to-grave socialism.

But at least one observer said Sarkozy's ascension may be France's last chance to turn away from suicidal, unsustainable levels of socialism.

His no-nonsense nationalism also will put him on a collision course with Muslim youths who have yet to buy into French society, and who have made a habit of rioting and burning cars. Indeed, some outbreaks of violence already have occurred since his election.

It is exceedingly difficult to turn away from socialism, especially after a 12-year soaking in it under Chirac. You've got to convince the people that a little pain is worthwhile, and that a system that not only protects sloth but rewards it cannot for long be maintained.

It will also be interesting to see how much his countrymen buy into the notion of the United States as a friend.

The truth is, despite decades of France's back-stabbing, dismissiveness and even collusion with America's enemies, Americans by and large would most likely be eager to pop the cork on a renewed friendship.

Until we see how many Frenchmen Sarkozy manages to bring to the dance, Americans may want to keep the champagne on ice.